Serengeti Empress bounces back from last place finish in Fair Grounds Oaks to land America’s biggest race for 3-year-old fillies.
LOUISVILLE, May 3 (UPI) — May 3 (UPI) — Serengeti Empress took the early lead in Friday’s $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, showed the way and held on gamely to win by 2 lengths over Liora.
With Jose Ortiz Jr. riding, Serengeti Empress bounced back from a last-place finish in the Fair Grounds Oaks in New Orleans to win America’s biggest race for 3-year-old fillies. Lady Apple finished third and the favorite, Santa Anita Oaks winner Bellafinia, was never involved and finished fifth.
Serengeti Empress, a daughter of Alternation out of the Bernardini mare Havisham, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.